Page 137 of The Protector
I laughed at the comical sight and Christina couldn’t help smiling either but managed to ask, “What’s going on?”
Khan and Pearl spoke at the same time, each trying to talk over the other, and Christina held up her hands.
“One at a time.”
Khan had his arms crossed and his legs spread as if signaling that he wasn’t moving. “I’m sick and tired of her running away,” he complained. “I can’t protect her when she constantly wanders off, and I have important work to do.”
“He wanted to chain me like a dog!” Pearl cried out. “Like a dog.”
“But I didn’t, did I?”
She pointed to the flexiband holding them together. Because of the height difference it was around her belly and his hips. “Oh, so you think this is any better?”
“At least now I can keep track of you and if I’m not moving, you don’t move either.”
Pearl clicked her tongue and crossed her arms too. “This is absolutely ridiculous. I demand that you let me go immediately.”
“No.”
“Well, you’ll have to eventually. How else do you suggest we shower and dootherthings?”
“No,” Khan said again and Pearl visibly paled before her head swung to us. “Tell him he’s insane.”
“Khan, you’re insane,” I said, chuckling. “So since you’re not surprised to see us here together I guess that means Magni told you what happened?”
“Yes, we heard,” Pearl said and pointed a finger at me. “And I demand to know how you crossed the border. It’s a major breach of Motherlands safety and it shouldn’t be possible.”
“We have invisible drones that your detectors don’t see,” I said. “We cross as often as we please. We just never told you, but since it looks like you’re not going anywhere soon,” I nodded to the band, “I guess there’s no reason to hide it from you.”
“Invisible drones?” Pearl narrowed her eyes and turned to look at Khan. “Is that true?”
He arched a brow knowing full well I was lying, but he didn’t confirm or deny.
“How long are you going to keep Pearl trapped like that?” Christina asked with a sympathetic glance at her distraught friend.
“That’s no one’s business but mine,” Khan told her.
“It’s my business since I’m forced to be close to you – and just so you know, you smell,” Pearl said.
“Yeah?” Khan lifted an arm and sniffed his armpit. “It’s not that bad, but if you’d like we could go and shower, right now.” He took a step forward.
Pearl dug her heels in. “No!” she shrieked. “No, no, no.”
“I don’t think she wants to shower with you.” I laughed.
Khan had that look on his face that I knew too well; I almost felt sorry for Pearl. He could be a real ass when he was in that mood and she was getting the full wrath of his scheming personality.
Her hands were grasping at the tight band that he had secured around them. “Let me go,” she protested.
“I will, as soon as you accept that you follow me and not the other way around.”
“I’m not your lap dog,” she pointed out.
“I was hoping to speak to Pearl alone,” Christina said.
“Yeah, well, that might be difficult, as you can see,” Khan noted.
“Does that mean you’ll allow Pearl to hear all your private conversations too?” Christina mused and turned her head to look at Pearl. “You’re really getting to know all his secrets, aren’t you?”
